GUWAHATI, April 18 � Singer Zublee Baruah was denied access to Bihu stage on Friday by the organisers of the Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani at the Assam Engineering Institute playground for not wearing the traditional chador mekhela, sparking a debate whether there should be any dress code for artistes during Bihu functions.
While the organisers insisted that the singer should wear chador mekhela for her on-stage performance, the singer, however, said, �I was wearing a salwar made with fabrics (paat) reflecting the Assamese tribal attire but they insisted on chador mekhela. She also countered the organisers� claim, stating that nowhere in the agreement was written that she would have to wear chador mekhela. �It was only mentioned that a decent attire should be worn, which I did. My dress reflects traditions of various tribes,� she said. �Why is the dress code only for female artistes and not for males? Why is this gender bias? I don�t mind wearing chador mekhela, which I did for the first three days of Bihu function,�
Dilip Das, joint secretary of the organising committee, said, �We wanted Zublee to wear chador mekhela, but she said she would rather not perform.�
